Joan Ames passed away on March 19 th , 2023.
Joan was born Jan 3 rd , 1928 in Burt, Iowa to Olaf and Louise Romstad. She grew up with an ability to
easily draw cartoons and doodles and loved people. Joan attended Drake University and was one course
shy of her Masters in Fine Arts, when she met her future husband, Lloyd Ames. They married June 10,
1953 and lived in Albuquerque so Lloyd could attend graduate school. Later, they moved to Richland to
start a life together and raise a family; a son and three daughters. Joan was an active member of
Richland Lutheran during this time and helped design some of the art for the new sanctuary. As the kids
grew up, she decided she would become a substitute teacher. Only rarely did she get to teach one of her
beloved art classes but she enjoyed two decades of interacting with mostly junior high and high school
kids. They enjoyed her too, seeing right through her mock toughness to the softy underneath. Joan
retired to West Richland where she was always painting, or crafting. She gave most of her art away to
loved ones and admirers. Joan was always thinking of others and made lifelong friends wherever she
went. She passed away two days after her dear husband of 69 years, Lloyd. The family would like to
acknowledge and thank Theresa and Peggy for their respite care and steadfast friendship to Joan. Joan
is survived by her son, Marc (Kay), her daughters; Sue, Jan, and Vanna (Dean), five grandchildren and
one great grandchild.